Lapis Niger

This archaic shrine is the site of the oldest Latin inscription
known. It is a rather strange monument made up of a large, very old style
of altar next to a truncated stele, or column, that has the ancient inscription
carved vertically in boustrophidon style, that is left to right, then right
to left, and alternating back and forth, "as an ox would plow a field."
These two elements, though, are underground. Capping them is a large, black
slab of marble, ringed with up-ended slabs of light marble forming a sort
of railing. It is as if this was a sacred spot walled-off to keep pedestrians
from trespassing on it. In fact, the inscription on the column invokes dire
curses on anyone tramples this site.

Perhaps the most important feature of the Lapis Niger is
that it was venerated by the Roman people as the location of the tomb of
Romulus himself, the founder and first king of Rome! During much of Rome's
history, the Lapis Niger was a part of the comitium, the meeting place immediately
in front of the senate house. In fact, the speakers platform which would
later become the rostra was built right next to the Lapis Niger, which adds
even more mystery and prominence to this ancient site.